Fit For School

Project Detail Tabs

Our Fit For School programme aims to improve the health of 6,100 children and their families, as well as reduce the spread of communicable diseases through the use of

existing structures in the education sector to improve school washing and sanitary facilities. It also implements evidence-based preventative measures such as teeth brushing

and hand washing with soap, promoting them as group activities and integrating them into the daily routine of state-run primary schools. It is the first time the methodology has been implemented outside of Asia.

This programme is run in partnership with Deustche Gessellshaft fur Internationale Zusammernabeit (GIZ).

The pilot phase of the project was implemented from mid-May 2015 to the end of January 2016. The goal of the pilot project was to improve the health status of 6,100

children from the participating primary schools by reducing the incidence of preventable communicable diseases and to enhance the capacity of these primary schools to adapt, implement and sustain the Fit for School approach as a measure to improve water, sanitation and hygiene conditions. The pilot focused mainly on schools with enabling positive situations, such as motivated and interested staff, functional WASH facilities and reliable water supply.

A baseline survey was carried out in the schools to better understand their specific needs, and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the schools and local government. Two hundred and fifty three (253) Education Officers, Health Officers, School Management Committees, and teachers were trained on how to effectively run the

project collaboratively. We connected water outlets to the toilets, repairing wash basins, doors, locks, blocked drains, urinals, and more. The schools were also provided with 11

sanitary bins and 70 buckets for flushing.

The project is now moving into its second phase, which will involve expanding the project to a further six schools with local government support and integrating a menstrual hygiene management element, whilst sustaining the achievements made in the first 10 pilot schools.